Missouri
The Department of Commerce and Insurance (DCI) extended the COVID-19 vaccine and testing standing orders until May 11, 2023. Revised standing orders may be found at:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Montana
The Dept. of Labor and Industry published the following effective March 25, 2023:
- 24.174.101 – The Board of Pharmacy adopts and incorporates the organizational rules of the Dept. of Labor and Industry.
- 24.174.201 – The Board of Pharmacy adopts and incorporates the procedural rules of the Dept. of Labor and Industry.
- 24.174.202 – The Board of Pharmacy adopts and incorporates the public participation rules of the Dept. of Labor and Industry.
Also in Montana, HB 710, legislation permitting pharmacy interns and technicians to administer immunizations, passed the House (90-8) and Senate (44-5). It has not yet been transmitted to the Governor.
Finally in Montana, SB 112, legislation allowing pharmacists to prescribe certain medications with limitations, passed the Senate (34-15). In the House Human Services Committee, the bill was amended and passed (14-7).
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Ohio
The Board of Pharmacy has posted the April 4 meeting agenda. Please note they plan to discuss the quota and break proposed rules from the Pharmacy Workforce Advisory Committee.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Nebraska
The Department of Health and Human Services published Provider Bulletin 23-08: Guidance on Telehealth.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Nevada
PBM reform bill, AB 440, was heard in the Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee on March 31. The Retail Association of Nevada offered several amendments defining specialty drugs, patient steering, patient choice, adequate networks, any willing provider, spread pricing, as well as prohibiting retroactive fees and setting a rate floor.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
New York
Beginning April 1, the State Department of Public Health will be transitioning all Medicaid members to NYRx, the Medicaid Pharmacy Program. The Department will be having a call center available for pharmacies and Medicaid recipients. Please call 1-800-343-9000 if you experience any claims issues. The hours of operation will be Monday through Friday 7:00 am to 10:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, with extended hours to 8:00 pm on April 1. The NYRx program will also be hosting calls for pharmacies regarding implementation on April 3 at 11:00 am.
The next monthly stakeholder call for NYRx will be held April 18 at 1:00 pm. This call will be a webinar about the pharmacy benefit transition. Members, providers and all interested stakeholders are welcome to attend. Registration information will be posted one week prior.
The State Assembly and Senate have both passed bill A1060A, an act relating to the self-dispensing of hormonal contraceptives. The legislation will authorize licensed pharmacists to provide contraceptives pursuant to a non-patient specific order from a physician or nurse practitioner. The legislation once signed by the Governor will take effect in 180 days.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
North Carolina
The Board of Pharmacy announced it is pursuing administrative rulemaking concerning “direct-to-patient delivery systems” for pharmacies allowing for technologies where drugs are dispensed directly to patients. The Board will host a public hearing on this issue on June 13, and written comments are due by June 16. Below is more information on this proposed rule which the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association is in the process of analyzing.
PUBLIC HEARING AND COMMENT PERIOD — JUNE 13, 2023 — ON THE FOLLOWING PROPOSED ACTIONS:
ADOPTION OF 21 NCAC 46 .1821 DIRECT-TO-PATIENT DELIVERY SYSTEMS
AMENDMENT TO 21 NCAC 46 .1616 LIMITED SERVICE PERMITS
Reason for Proposed Action:
The Board of Pharmacy proposes to adopt a rule permitting pharmacies to employ certain direct to patient systems, which are technologies that dispense drugs directly to patients. The proposed rule contains provisions to allow pharmacies to comply with the laws governing dispensing drugs, devices, or medical equipment while using these systems. The proposed rule further contains provisions that would ensure that the systems can be used safely and securely, that required records are maintained, that the home pharmacy can adequately supervise and service these systems, and that patients may use these systems while also receiving information, safeguards and counseling that they need to use their drugs, devices, and medical equipment safely. There is an accompanying proposed change to the Board of Pharmacy’s limited-service permit rules to provide for permitting of systems that a pharmacy may place in a location other than the home pharmacy’s facility.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Oklahoma
Beginning April 1, 2023, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) will begin disenrollment of certain individuals that have been continuously enrolled in SoonerCare (Oklahoma Medicaid program) that no longer meet eligibility requirements. For more information, see Bulletin No. 2-2023.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Oregon
The Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda and meeting materials for the next Board Meeting scheduled for April 12-14; see additional details below. Also, please note the following agenda item:
- Div 019/020- Pharmacist Prescriptive Authority – COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody, COVID-19 Antiviral, Continuation of Therapy including emergency refills of insulin, Contraception, PEP, PrEP, Travel Medications Protocols- #A2, A2a, A2b, A2c, A2d, A2e. See pp 47-103 (inclusive) of the PDF.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.